Hemp For Your Hair
Karen Marie Shelton
Revised Date: 07/13/2006 - Original Publication Date: 11/18/2001
Introduction
I should've known this would happen. The minute I think I can "whip out a short article" about a new topic, I wind up sitting hunched over my PC for hours and days. Then the days roll into weeks as I scour my private "magazine jammed library", the Internet and books for anything I can find about my new topic. Finally I start asking everyone I see about the topic at hand....
Dr. Bronner's Liquid Hemp/TeaTree Soap is often used to make shampoos. I understand that some people have a special brand they prefer and since we already buy from Jason's and Nature's Gate, we will add those hemp products as well.
Hemp is not a simple "put it on your hair" article. There are many issues that surround hemp from the thousands of commercial uses, the controversy over hemp in the US, its role as an essential fatty acid and whether you should ingest it or slather it on your hair and skin. But I digress.
What The Heck Is Hemp?
Hemp has actually been around for thousands of years. Ever controversial, some historians claim that hemp was discovered over 10,000 years ago, while others argue that hemp really didn't show up until about 6,000 years ago. Whatever you want to believe, the ultimate truth of the matter is that hemp is not new on the scene. It is has been around for a very long time.
The hemp plant was discovered growing wild in the Orient where the fiber was used for writing paper and the seed was used for oil and food. The people in China discovered that the wild hemp plant offered great nutritional value along with tons of other uses. Hemp was used as a food source thousands of years ago and can claim that it has been around longer than the now popular soy.
As always, I caution anyone reading this article to never experiment with a new product or ingredient without doing the proper research and talking to a health care professional. Hey, who knows, my friend may be justified with experimenting on his poor cat's fur. In all fairness I suggested to him that he talk to the cat doctor before doing anything wild and crazy.
Why Is Hemp So Controversial?
Unfortunately there have been a lot of wild rumors and half truths attributed to hemp. Yes, it is true that industrial grade hemp is a cousin of the marijuana plant which also is known as "Cannabis" and hemp, but the relationship is extremely distant.
Industrial grade hemp is non-hallucinogenic and completely drug-free. Hemp seed oils are perfectly legal. Hemp seeds are allowed to be used for commercial products if they have been sterilized in some way to prevent germination. This is usually done by subjecting them to heat.
Hemp oil that is used in hair care, supplements and oils are also completely legal. It is important to note that the strains of hempseeds that are grown for oil production start life with a very low resin content. By the time the seeds are actually ready for harvest, resin production has dropped even lower. The final stages of hemp seed productions requires that the seeds be cleaned and washed before they can be pressed. As a result, no THC (the resin found in illegal drugs) is found in the final hemp seed product.
In case you have heard of all the controversy about hemp based products, there has been a lot of press directed to the legal aspects of farming hemp products in the United States. Without going into the long winded details, there are several groups that have formed to help educate the public and the US Government about the benefits of hemp raw materials. So you will probably hear more about the "free industrial use hemp in the US" movement.
Remember, if you flunk a drug test, don't try to tell them it is from your hemp shampoo or skin care. They won't buy that one. You will have better luck saying you had poppy seed rolls for lunch.
Alterna & The Marketing Of Hemp Haircare
Although they didn't discover the many historical benefits of hemp, the Alterna company did recognize the many benefits that hemp offers for the hair. Cosmetic grade hemp seed oil is a rich source of essential amino acids which have proven benefits for hair.
Alterna recognized the huge growth potential for utilizing hemp as a hair-care ingredient and introduced their hemp oil product line in 1998.
The hair chemists at Alterna discovered, what health food advocates already knew, that hemp seed oil is one of the very richest sources of nutrients that when injected into hair care formulas. Hemp seed oil has been proven to help some people with the development of healthy kerative formation. In other words, hemp oil, for some people, can help develop hair that is strong and healthy.
As we all get older it is a fact that our hair slowly becomes deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids. By using external hair care products coupled with internal supplements like Hemp, Flax and Evening Primrose Oil (all high in fatty acids) we may starve off the aging to our hair and skin.
Alterna promises that the hemp seed oil's concentration in their products is a perfect 3:1 ratio of essential fatty acids. The 3:1 ration is what a healthy human scalp and hair should consist of. This ratio is also what our bodies can most easily absorb.
When used on a regular basis, Alterna promises that its hemp-based products make a dramatic difference in the look, feel and behavior of any hair type.
Internal Benefits Of Hemp Oil For Hair
What happens if you take hemp oil internally as either an oil or supplement?
Many health experts believe that you have to build good health from the inside out. This belief is shared by hair experts who believe in the benefits of adding EFA supplements or oils to the diet.
Should you take hemp oil to help dry or damage hair? According to many experts, it will definitely help. However, should you take it as a supplement, an oil, as part of your daily menu? Only you can decide what is the best course of action for you and your body.
Hemp Oil For Your Hair
Is it best to use hemp seed internally or externally for your hair? Most nutritionists believe that to really get benefits from a supplement, we need to take them internally. If you are experiencing hair or skin challenges, taking hemp oil as a capsule form or as a food, will offer the best results.
Taken internally, it is thought by many to simulate growth of hair and nails, improve the health of the skin, and can even reduce inflammation from arthritis or related diseases.
While the hemp based shampoos and hair care products can offer the benefit of softer hair and skin, it can not be as supportive as taking the oil internally.
My experience is that it simulates growth of hair and nails, improves the health of the skin, and can reduce inflammation. I like the idea of having one good oil that supplies both omega-3s and GLA, without the need to take more capsules.
Some people experiment with adding hemp seed oil directly to their favorite shampoos and conditioners as a home grown custom recipe. Others will apply the oil directly to their hair as a form of conditioning. Not well suited as a hot oil treatment, the oil can still be applied to hair and left on overnight. It can also be used to oil braids, cornrows or other hair weaves.
If you wish to experiment by adding hemp oil to your hair start slowly with a little oil. If the formula works, you can slowly increase the amount you use.
The advantage that hemp seed offers is that it combines the benefits of omega 3 and omega 6 along with GLA. One product will supply what you need. If you take capsules this can be even more beneficial.
If you wish to take Hemp Seed Oil internally, there is good news. The oil has a distinct, earthy flavor and a light green color. Some people describe the taste of hemp seed oil is nutty. Many people enjoy the flavor.
Hemp Allergies
One word of warning, some people have allergies to hemp oil. Others find it to cause their hair, skin and nails to become too oily. After all, hemp seed oil is an oil.
The key to using hemp seed either internally or externally is to take your time and evaluate the results that you experience over time.
Modern science confirms that the nutrients present in unrefined oils are absorbed into and through the skin and provide nourishment to a variety of organ and glandular systems.
High quality, unrefined vegetable oils such as hemp contain one or both of the EFAs, omega-3 and omega-6. They also include the natural antioxidants, Vitamins A and E, and a number of other important nutrients. This is great for your hair as well as your skin if your body can handle it. Some bodies can't handle the richness of this oil.
I have listed some of the other products that I am currently aware of that have hemp oil or hemp ingredients:
Allways Natural - Moisturizing Formula (Available in health food stores & Indian grocery stores).
Alterna's Hemp Seed Shine Shampoo and Conditioner contain Hemp Seed Oil. Sold in fine salons.
Jason's Natural Hemp Shampoo - Available at health food stores and at HairBoutique.com in the near future.
JR Liggett's - Jr Liggett's Body Scrub with Hemp that can be used as a body scrub or on the scalp.
Nature's Gate Hemp Shampoo - Available at most health food stores.
Indian Hemp can sometimes be found in a hair grease used by black women and Indian women. Another name for heavy hemp is jaborandi and it can sometimes be found in Indian grocery stores. Some women believe that the use of Indian Hemp will make hair grow really fast.
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Bumping..does anyone currently use Hemp or alterna hemp shampoo/conditioner?
